Lauren Galvin

The first session is pretty low-key, I promise. We'll talk about what's going on, what you're hoping for, and I'll get to know you beyond whatever brought you here. No pressure, no deep diving into everything at once. Just a relaxed conversation to get comfortable and start figuring out how I can help.

Confidentiality is a big deal to me, especially with teens. For therapy to work, they need to know they can be honest without everything getting back to mom and dad. So what's shared in session stays in session, with the standard exceptions around safety. Parents get peace of mind knowing their kid has a safe space, and teens get a space that's actually theirs. I will always encourage the teen to speak to their parent about their session, and I do enjoy giving parents updates. However, updates will be like "your child is making good progress towards their goals."

Totally normal, and honestly not a problem. Not every kid walks in ready to open up, and I'd never force it. I'm pretty good at finding ways to connect that don't feel like therapy at all. Sometimes we talk about their favorite show, play a game, or just hang out until they're ready. The goal is for them to trust me first. Everything else follows from there.

Progress doesn't always look like a big 'aha' moment. Sometimes it's quieter than that. It might be your teen handling a tough situation differently, or your child actually wanting to talk about their day. The small shifts are usually the biggest signs that something is working. I check in regularly with both clients and parents, so nobody's ever left wondering. We'll always know where we're headed and how things are going.

Honestly, it looks different for everyone...and that's okay. Some people work through something specific and feel ready to go in a few months. Others find value in having consistent support as life keeps evolving. There's no pressure to fit a timeline. We'll check in regularly, and you'll always have a say in how long we continue. The goal is never to keep you here longer than you need, just long enough to get you where you want to be.

Sometimes, but not the kind that makes you groan. I might suggest something small to try between sessions, like a breathing technique, a simple journaling prompt, or just paying attention to something you might normally brush off. It's always low pressure and totally optional. Life is busy, and I get that. If it happens, great. If it doesn't, we just talk about it. No stress, no judgment.